http://www.photojournale.com/categories.php?cat_id=179
Sashti, the sixth lunar day when Goddess Durga is welcomed with much fanfare and gusto. 'Bodhon' is a ritual when Goddess Durga is unveiled.
Saptami features the first day of Durga Puja; commencement of rituals; predawn bathing of ' Kola Bou'.
Ashtami the most important day of Durga Puja celebrates Durga's victory over Mahishasur. Devotees recite the mantras and offer flowers to Devi Durga and pray for her blessings. Durga Chalisa are a set of 40 mantras in four quartets sung in the praise of Goddess Durga. Rituals of animal sacrifices are now substituted with pumpkin, cucumber or banana.

Nabami commences with ' Sandhi Puja ', an integral and important part of Durga Puja. It is performed at the juncture of the 8th and 9th lunar day. Sandhi puja lasts from the last 24 minutes of Ashtami till the first 24 minutes of Nabami. During this juncture (the "Sandhikhan"), Durga is worshipped in her Chamunda form. Devi Durga killed, Chando and Mundo, the two demons at "Sandhikhan" and thus acquired the name of "Chamunda". Goddess Durga is offered food which is later distributed among the devotees.

Dashami is the day when Goddess Durga accompanied by her children sets out for Kailash, her husband's abode. With a heavy heart the Bengalis immerse the clay idol of Durga in the sacred Ganges bidding her goodbye and earnestly waiting to see her again the next year. "Sindur Khela" is a major event of Dashami. Married women apply vermillion to each other and greet each other with sweets. It is in the evening when Goddess Durga is immersed.

Durga Puja is a festival is more of a socio-cultural celebration that tends to renew kinship with friends and relatives
Photo Documentary / Photo journal Story by Indian Photojournalist Jayati Saha]]> Sun, 19 Apr 2026 12:09:55 GMT http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4584 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:43:47 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4584 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4583 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:42:08 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4583 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4582 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:37:34 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4582 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4581 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:35:23 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4581 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4580 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:33:37 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4580 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4579 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:30:47 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4579 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4578 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:27:25 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4578 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4577 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:25:32 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4577 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4576 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:23:32 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4576 http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4575 Sun, 07 Nov 2010 15:21:11 GMT Durga Puja ; A festival of God returning Home | India http://www.photojournale.com/details.php?image_id=4575